In your Arms

Chapter Sixty Seven

"Come on, Xander. Pick up the phone." Simon muttered under his breath. He'd been calling his brother since he got home but Alexander isn't answering any of his calls. After a few rings he went into voice mail for the nth time. Simon gritted his teeth and pressed the end call button. He paced back and forth in the living room and gruffly scratched the back of his head. "Where the hell are you.." He almost cursed.

Truth is he's worried. Very. He knew what his brother is capable of doing knowing that right now he is suffering. He should have been there for him. He can only blame himself. Simon sat on the couch feeling helpless. A few minutes later he heard his phone ring. He answered it in a haste hoping that it was Alexander only to find out that it was Uno.

"Hey, Simon. It's Uno." The voice on the other line told him as soon as he picked up. "It's about Xander--"

Worried that something bad has happened to his brother; Simon cut him off. "What happened?!" He asked sounding tensed.

Uno sensing the worry in Simon's voice answered, "He's fine. He's with me." A pause. Simon gave out a sigh of relief. "But uh, he's drunk. Really drunk. We've been drinking since noon and as much as I wanted to drive him home I don't think I can. Patty will come over in an hour and I'm a bit drunk myself."

Simon breathed deeply. "Okay. I'll get him."

"Alright." Uno responded. "I'm sorry. I tried to stop him from drinking too much but he won't listen."

Simon closed his eyes and gripped his phone. "Thanks for calling. I'll go there now." He hung up the phone and grabbed his car keys then went out. He drove fast and reached Uno's place within half an hour. Uno was already waiting for him outside.

"Where is he?" He asked stiffly.

"He's inside." Uno led the way inside the house and that's where he saw Alexander, slumped on the couch looking disheveled. His heart sank at the sight of his only brother.

Simon quickly reached for him and carried him by placing his brother's arm over his shoulders. Alexander reeked of cigarette smoke and alcohol. Simon can only shake his head.

Uno helped him carry Alexander to his car. After they settled him in he thanked Uno and said goodbye. He was about to start the car when Uno tapped the car window.

"I'm really sorry, man." Uno said to him.

"You've done nothing wrong." Simon told him. "I should be the one to apologize. I should have been there for him." He gripped the steering wheel. "Thanks for always looking out for him. You've been a good friend to Xander." He added. Uno nodded his head in response. "We'll be going now."

"Take care, man." Uno answered. With that, Simon drove off.

During the whole ride his attention was in between the road and on his brother. His heart felt like it was crushed seeing his brother like this. Again, he blamed himself. He is the only family he's got but he wasn't even there when Alexander very much needed him. He was selfish. It's no surprise Alexander somehow hated him before. He hadn't become a brother to him all this time.

They were nearing the condominium building when he heard Alexander grunt. His brother shifted from his seat and slowly opened his eyes. His eyebrows furrowed when he realized that he is in a car.

"What the.. How.." Alexander turned his head and saw Simon. "Simon?"

"I picked you up at Uno's." He told him. "He called me."

"He called you?" Alexander asked in disbelief. Simon nodded his head as a reply. "I can't believe him. I told him not to call you. I can go home by myself."